Seeking to celebrate success in the education system

Last year the Schools Agency of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority implemented the Trends in Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) assessment to 8,500 students in 144 schools.

The effort was overseen by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).

Its Executive Director, Dr Hans Wagemaker, met the KHDA's TIMSS team to praise their hard work in getting Dubai onto the 2007 cycle of assessment so quickly.

The results of this assessment, which take place on a four-year cycle, will be available by the end of this year.

They will provide insights into the level of performance of the education system as a whole, together with detailed reports highlighting specific results.

The TIMSS team has also visited Bahrain for the TIMSS 2007 Database Gulf Region Seminar which was organized by the Arabic Education Office of the GCC.

The team was trained in how to use the TIMSS system, and how to analyse the results with a view to building an accurate picture of the social and economic environment in which the young people of Dubai live.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA, was the driving force behind Dubai adopting the TIMSS assessment.

He said, "The management and staff of KHDA thank IEA for their support in helping us achieve the TIMSS testing in record time. Including us in this survey and not having to wait for another four years to know where we stand was crucial for Dubai and KHDA."

Dr Wagemaker added: "KHDA has done a remarkable job in such a short span of time. Part of the measurement process is looking for things to celebrate, as well as developing standards of excellence and raising the bar. The challenge really is getting schools to understand the difference and follow the high-performing models."

Fatma Al Marri, CEO of the Schools Agency, said, "The commitment from IEA was instrumental in seeing us through the challenge of accomplishing the testing in such a short time frame. The diversity and curricula in Dubai's schools has been an opportunity and a challenge.

"TIMSS' innovative approach has helped us to overcome the challenges. Now we look forward to using the results of this process in the best possible way to improve the education we can offer the children of Dubai."

The TIMSS team also discussed with Dr Wagemaker the lessons it had learned while administering TIMSS, including the need for cultural adaptations, and the challenge that every child around the world gets a similar test irrespective of the language.

The team also suggested that Arabic language software should be made available for administering the assessment.

Dubai is currently conducting a field trial for PISA, another international quality assessment which tests 15-year-olds to show how well their education has prepared them for adult life.

Both PISA and TIMSS are about Dubai learning what it is good at in terms of education, and what needs to be improved.